Bend (and Design) With The Wind: Van Cleef & Arpels 10th Middle East Emergent Designer Prize Now Is Up For Grabs

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Middle East Emergent Designer Prize, in collaboration with Van Cleef & Arpels and Tashkeel, invites creative minds across the region to participate in a competition like no other. With the theme “Inspiring Winds,” this year’s contest seeks to harness the essence of wind – a symbol of strength, freedom, and enchantment deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of desert communities.

The call for entries commenced on March 15, providing aspiring designers with the opportunity to showcase their talents in contemporary functional design. Entrants are tasked with crafting innovative designs that embody the spirit of wind while emphasising both form and function. From naseem and harmattan to khamsin, sumoom and shamal, air forms are an integral part of desert landscapes. The deadline for submissions is set for April 21, 2024, at 10 PM GST.

By Désirée Baretto

Azaed Muzafar Alam, 2020 Courtesy of Tashkeel & V&A

“…As one of the region’s longest-running prizes, the Emergent Designer Prize has set the benchmark for nurturing design talent by shedding light on the wealth of creativity thriving across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.“

Alessandro Maffi, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East & India

Participants are encouraged to adopt eco-conscious practices, sourcing materials locally and ethically to minimise carbon footprints. However, submissions in jewellery and watch design are excluded from consideration.

The winning designer will receive a prestigious prize package, including AED 30,000, to fund the production of their design over a 12-week period. The final masterpiece will be unveiled at a special ceremony later in 2024, marking a decade of the Middle East Emergent Designer Prize.

Moufida Mohiddine by Alin Constantin Photography

But the rewards don’t stop there. The victor will embark on a transformative journey to Paris, where they’ll spend five days at L’ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, delving into the intricate world of jewellery creation and watchmaking. This once-in-a-lifetime experience promises to enrich the winner’s craft and inspire future endeavours.

Alessandro Maffi, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East & India, commented, “…As one of the region’s longest-running prizes, the Emergent Designer Prize has set the benchmark for nurturing design talent by shedding light on the wealth of creativity thriving across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. We look forward to receiving innovative and visionary submissions for this year’s theme of “Inspiring Winds”.

For those eager to participate, detailed instructions can be found on Tashkeel’s website. Additionally, a bilingual presentation on the Tashkeel YouTube Channel will provide further guidance to potential entrants later this month.

As the competition heats up, anticipation builds for the unveiling of designs that capture the essence of “Inspiring Winds,” shaping the future of design in the Middle East and beyond.





Cover picture:Julia Ibbini, 2019